The Trump administration has announced its intention to transfer oversight of the $1.15 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a key barrier system aimed at preventing invasive Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, from Illinois to Michigan. The move was detailed in a statement posted on April 10 by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, who emphasized that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would shift management from its Rock Island district in Illinois to its Detroit district in Michigan.

The project, centered near Joliet, Illinois, involves installing a series of deterrent technologies—such as an electric barrier, acoustic devices, a bubble curtain, and a specialized lock mechanism—at a strategic point on the Des Plaines River to block the passage of silver carp and bighead carp. These invasive species have already significantly impacted the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers by outcompeting native fish and threaten to disrupt the region’s multibillion-dollar fishing and recreational industries if they reach Lake Michigan.

Telle criticized Illinois for what he described as “undue influence” and characterized the state as an “unreliable partner,” citing delays in payments and real estate commitments related to the project. “President Trump has always been a champion of keeping invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes,” Telle wrote, underscoring the administration’s commitment to moving forward aggressively with the project.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded sharply to the announcement, calling it a “political stunt” and asserting that Illinois has met its obligations. He emphasized the state’s ownership of the land where the project is to be constructed and warned that Illinois is prepared to pursue legal action if the federal government attempts to transfer control without state consent. “Trump must stop this political stunt and start releasing the funds, get the project moving again, and protect the Great Lakes,” Pritzker said.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed support for advancing the project, with her press secretary Stacey LaRouche stating that Whitmer has collaborated with Illinois and federal officials to expedite progress on the barrier. “Gov. Whitmer will continue to work to get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come,” LaRouche said.

The Brandon Road project was originally established through an agreement signed by Illinois, Michigan, and the Army Corps of Engineers in July 2024. Illinois committed approximately $50 million, covering design work, early construction, land acquisition, and remediation of coal ash contamination on site. Despite initial progress, the project has experienced delays, including a temporary halt in February 2025 when Governor Pritzker expressed concerns over the Trump administration’s failure to release promised federal funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Following public commitments by President Trump earlier this year to prioritize the carp barrier, the Army Corps secured about $100 million for the project’s first construction phase, which was completed by July 2025. However, the project was placed under review last December, stalling further development before last month’s announcement of the administrative shift.

As of now, the Army Corps has not clarified whether the management transfer will result in the release of previously frozen federal funds or when construction might resume. The future of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project remains uncertain amid the political dispute between Illinois and the federal government.